Thermoelectric effects in STM tunneling through a monoatomic chain

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermoelectric properties of a monoatomic chain system with an STM tip, focusing on thermopower, conductance, and thermoelectric efficiency, and relates findings to experimental measurements.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of thermoelectric effects in STM setups with monoatomic chains, highlighting how temperature gradients influence topography and thermopower.

Findings

Thermopower shows distinct features not visible in topography.

Temperature gradients modify the STM wire topography.

The system's thermoelectric figure of merit indicates potential for applications.

Abstract

We study thermoelectric properties of the system composed of a monoatomic chain on a surface and additional electrode coupled to the chain, which can be an STM tip. In particular, we are interested in thermopower, electric and thermal conductance, Wiedemann-Franz relation and thermoelectric figure of merit, which is a direct measure of the usefulness of the system for applications. We discuss the modifications of the STM wire topography due to temperature gradient between the electrodes. Finally, we also make connection to STM experiment, in which the thermopower has been directly measured, showing different structure, not visible in topography spectra.